"Jesus is the reason for the season," but He is not JUST the reason for the season of Christmas (though He most certainly is that). If Jesus is your Savior and your Lord, He is the reason for every season. He is the reason we rejoice in seasons of blessing, and He is the reason we persevere in seasons of suffering.
"Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) While enduring the most difficult season of suffering of his own life, Jesus looked forward to the joy that was set before Him.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and writer of the bulk of the New Testament, spent his life "for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began." (Titus 1:2) This hope is set before us as the impetus to endure every season of this short life we are given, and Jesus made it possible.
"So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 6:17-20
Returning again to Christmas, even Joseph, betrothed to the newly pregnant Mary, when struggling with the most difficult decision of his life, received assurance from an angel in a dream, "'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel' which means, God with us." (Matthew 1:20-23)
So whether this Christmas was a joyful celebration or a reminder of painful or bittersweet memories, Jesus has not only gone before us, He is WITH us, even now, the day after Christmas, and every day afterward. And this, brothers and sisters, is why He is the reason for EVERY season. He is hope, and He is here. Merry Christmas.
